Air cushioned gland



March 5, 1940. H. lE. LA BouR AIR CUSHIONED GLAND v Filed nay-6, 193s 2 sheets-sheet 1 0J u Z 7 0 r 4 L //V. i0/ ,/y... A0 4 .7 mw /M/ a 0 x M 7 W M /\IY March 5, 1940. H. E. LA BouR 2,192,395

AIR CUSHIONED GLAND Patented Mar. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,192,395 am. cUsmoNED GLAND um E. La pour, Elkhart, ma. rippueauen May s, 193s, serial No. 206.424

7 Claims.

This invention relates to pumps and is particularly concerned handling corrosive liquidsand the like. v

In pumps, such as the centrifugal type, for

5 handling corrosive liquids, it is highly desirable to keep the corrosive liquids entirely out ofcontact, so far as possible, with the packing gland which seals the shaft where it passes through the pump casing. If the corrosive liquid comes 1 into contact with the `packing gland, not only is the life of the gland materially shortened but, in addition, the liquid acts on the shaft itself, roughens the sealing surface and otherwise makes it practically impossible to maintain a 15 tight leak-proof seal at this point.

The principal object ofthis invention is to provide a packing gland construction in which means is provided for effectively preventing the corrosive liquid from ever coming into direct a contact with either the packing gland or the.

pump shaft engaging the packing gland. According to the principles of the present invention, I provide means air about the packing gland and shaft and 25 utilize that trapped body of air to prevent liquid from rising up the shaft into contact with either the latter or the packing gland itself. Preferably, the air is trapped and maintained by utilizing the principle by which air is maintained in 00 diving bells for the purpose of preventing the water from rising too far in the bell. Similarly, laccording to my invention, the corrosive liquid in the pump is prevented from rising up into contact with the packing gland. Obviously, this l invention is particularly adapted for use with pumps employing a vertical shaft.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a packing gland construction in which, not only is the liquid in the pump prevented o from coming into contact with the packing gland, but in addition a lubricant chamber is provided to increase the effective tightness of the seal provided by the gland.

Still further, another object of this invention 45 is the provision of a packing gland in which a relatively hard packing ring is pressed into sealing engagement with a shoulder on the shaft, the packing ring being connected tothe stationary pump casing by a flexible tubular member 50 which is formed of corrosion resistant material and is secured in leak-tight relation to a sleeve which serves to trap a body of air about the packing. These and other objects and advantages of 55 my invention will be apparent from the followwith centrifugal pumps for for trapping a body of.

ing detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a central vertical section taken through an air sealjpacking gland embodying the principles of this invention; and

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified form of gland construction in which the casing of the pump has a section utilized as a part of the means providing an air seal. v

Referring first to the form of the invention shown in Figure l, the pump casing is indicated at I and has an upper wall 2 provided withV an opening 3 with a` radially inwardly disposed flange 4. The impeller shaft 5 of the pump ex-v tends vertically upwardly through the opening 3 and at a small distance below the wall 2 is provided with an integral shoulder or collar 6 having an upwardly facing sealing surface 1 formed thereon. While I have shown the shouldered section 6 as formed integral with the impeller shaft 5, it is to be understood that the part B may be in the form of a part separate from but fixed in a suitable manner to the shaft 5.

A sleeve I0 is disposed in the opening 3 and has an upper 4flanged section seated against the flange 4 of the pump casing 2. A gasket I2 prevents leakage at this point. 'Ihe lower portion of the sleeve I0 is formed with two concentric cylindrical sections I5 and I6 spaced apart to provide an annular chamber llsurrounding the shaft 5. The cylinders I5 and I6 are open at their lower ends but are joined together attheir upper ends. The inner cylinder I6 surrounds the shaft 5 in close fitting relation but out of direct contact therewith.' A plurality of ducts I9 extend from the upper portion of the space I1 into the space 20 above the cylinders I5 and- I6, this latter space being of larger diameter than the shaft 5 so as to receive the shouldered section 6 of the shaft 5. i

Clamped to the upper end of the sleeve Ill, preferably outside the pump casing 2, is a casting 25 having a plurality of apertured ears 26 and an interior lubricant receiving chamber 21. Access to the latter is had through a tapped opening 28 through which oil or other lubricant is directed. The' upper wall of the lubricant chamber 21 has an opening 3| through which the upper end of the shaft 5 extends, anda slinger ring 32 is carried by the shaft at this point up against a shoulder 33 formed on the shaft vby the portion 34 thereof which is of slightly reticularly adapted to handle corrosive liquids and the like, the impeller shaft 5 is made of corrosion resistant alloy or. other material. The pump lnection at this point.

casing 2 is provided with a num'br of slotted ears 38 which receive the lower ends of bolts 38,

the upper threaded ends of which are received in the apertured ears 26. The 'lubricant Achamber casting 25 is secured to they upper or outer end of the sleeve I by means of a plurality of cap screws 40 extending downwardly through openings 4I formed in the chamber 21 and Screwed into tapped openings 43 formed in the upper end ofthe sleeve I0.

The upper wall 46 of the lubricant chamber 21 is provided with two or more pins 41 pressed into suitable openings in the wall 46 and welded or otherwise xed in place therein. 'I'he pins 41 extend downwardly through the chamber 21 into the enlarged opening 48 in the lower wall 49 of the, chamber21 and receive springs 5I. Disposed about the shaft with its upper end in the opening 48 isa vertically extending retainer sleeve slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft 5 so that there is no 'contact at this point. At its upper end the retainer sleeve 52 is flanged, as at 53, and has two or more venlarged holes 54 in which the lower ends of the pins 41 are loosely received. The springs 5| bear against the upper flange 53.

The sleeve 52 extends downwardly into the space and has a second flange 59 spaced below the upper flange 53 and a lower skirt section 58. A sealing ring 60, preferably of incompressible non-fibrous material such as carbon or any other suitable material, is disposed about the skirt of the sleeve section 52 and is held against rotation with respect thereto in any suitable manner, such as by having one or more lugs or pins 62 carried by the ring 60 and extending intovslots 63 formed in the section 58 of the sleeve 5 2. The upper edge of the ring 60 has a groove 65 formed therein to receive the lower end 66 of a diaphragm 68 in the form of a flexible sleeve or tubular member, preferably formed of rubber or rubber-like material which is resistant to corrosion by acidsy and the like and unaffected by oil or other lubricant. The upper end of the flexible diaphragm 68 has a radially outwardly extending flange 69 which seats between the casting and the upper end of the sleeve I0 and is clamped in leak-tight relationtherein by the screws 40. 'I'he cooperating faces of thecasting 25 andthe sleeve I0 have grooves 1I into which portions of the flange 69 are forced, thereby facilitating the attainment of a leak-tight con- The diameter of the exible diaphragm 68 is slightly larger than the retainer sleeve section 52 about which itis disposed and has an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the adjacent portions of the sleeve I0. Preferably, the walls of the sleeves It and 52 adjacent the rubber diaphragm are curved.

Each spring 5I bears at its upper end against the lower surface of the upper wall 46 of the lubricant reservoir 21 and at its lower end against the ange 53 on the sleeve 52, forcing the flange 58 against the end 66 of the diaphragm 68 and forcing the sealing ring 60 down into sealing engagement with the surface 1 of the flange 8 on 52 having an internal diameter gland.

.liquid from rising into contact with the impeller shaft 5. If desired, the end may 4 be vulcanized or otherwise permanently bonded to the sealing ring 50, or itmay be moulded, rabbetted, dovetailed, or otherwise attached to -the ring to secure relatively firm attachment.-

It will be notedl that there is suiiicient space between the sleeve 52 and the shaft to permit the passage of Ylubricant from the reservoir 21 down into the plane of contact between the sealing ring 60 and the upper surface 1 on the shaft flange 6. The lubricant aids in maintaining a tight seal at point in addition to lubricating the relatively movableA surfaces on the collar 5 and the sealing ring ill. A

In operation, when the pump is first started up, the casing is at least partially lled with air, but as the pump continues to operate liquid is drawn in and the level in the pump casing 2 rises from below the open ends of the cylinders I5 and I6 to a point above, the rising level of liquid in the pump casing trapping a body of air in theV packing gland or with the portions of the shaft adjacent the packing gland.

If the liquid handled by the pump'is corrosive f `this is an especially important feature.

'Ihe lubricated seal between the relatively stationary ring 60 and the rotating collar 5 on the shaft 5 prevents any material movement of air either into or out of the chamber 28. While the packing gland construction described above may be disposed Veither on the pressure side or on the suction side of the pump, it is preferably arranged on the suction side so that if `the packing gland does pass a small quantity of air, that air will be drawn into the space 20 and thus replenish the air supply maintained about the packing gland. Also, small quantities of 'the lubricant may be drawn into the space 2l, but this is not objectionable' and aids in keeping the corrosive liquidout of contact with the packing If the air seal packing gland construction described above is used on the pressure side of a pump, the effectiveness of the lubricated seal between the collar 5 and ring 88 will prevent a quick loss of air from the spaces I1 and 2l. Therefore, if the pump is intermittently operated sc as to periodically replenish the air in the spaces I1 and v2li, the packing gland and air trap may be used on the pressure side of the pump. However, for continuous operation it is preferable to arrange the packing gland and air seal on the suction side ofthe pump so that if there is any leakage through the gland, the air and oil leaking into the spaces I1 and 28 will replenish the air supply and prevent any of the corrosive l the packing gland surfaces.

The loose connection between the sleeve 52 and the stationary pins 41 permits the sleeve 52 and sealing ring 60 to follow the shaft 5, even though the shaft may be rotating eccentrically or otherwise out of alignment, so that a tight seal is maintainedy at all times.

The central portion of the flexible diaphragm -68 inwardly of the ange 69 is subjected to the pressure or suction within the pump, but is conned against movement, either outwardly under pressure or inwardly under suction,`by the curved walls at the adjacent portions of the sleeves I and 52, so that there is no likelihood of the diaphragm 68 being damaged or pulled out of sealing engagement with the ring 68 or the lring being pulled away from the collar 6.

The form of the invention'shown in Figure 2 embodies practically all of the features described above in connection with Figure 1, but has been constructed so as to be adapted for use with a pump of the type in which the section of the pump casing through which the shaft extends is itself provided with a sleeve-like extension which can be utilized as the outer cylinder of the gland seal, which. to a certain extent, simplifies the construction of the sleeve carrying the packing gland members.

Referring now to Figure 2, the pump 88 shown in this figure includes a casing 8I having an intake chamber 82 of the type adapted to trap air therein and a depending sleeve-like section 83 which Iextends downwardly into the chamber 82. Under certain conditions a pump of this particular kind is not equipped with any packing gland but has parts disposed about but spaced from the impeller shaft so that there `is no rubbing or sliding contact therebetween, the clearance being sealed by a movement of a sealing fluid that may be the liquid pumped or that may be an entirely separate liquid; In a pump of this kind, the lower end of the sleeve 83 has a passage '85 which receives the circulating sealing fluid, and usually the pump is` also provided with an overow passage 81 by which excess sealing fluid is discharged.

'Ihe present invention is admirably adapted to provide an air cushioned gland for a pump of this kind since the outer sleeve-like section 83 of the pump casing can be utilized for the outer cylinder of the sealing bell, serving substantially the same purpose as the outer cylinder I5 shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 2', it will be seen that parts shown in this figure which are identical with parts shown in Figure 1 and described above are identified by the same reference numerals. In Figure 2 a sleeve Illa, corresponding to the sleeve I0 in Figure l, is provided adjacent its upper end with a downwardly facing shoulder which seats against a gasket 8| carried by a shoulder 92 formed in the upper` portion of the section 83. The sleeve Illa Ihas openings lila that provide for communication between the chamber Ila and the space 20; as in Figure 1, and the inner sleeve I6a extends downwardly about the shaft 5 in closely spaced relation, like the sleeve I6 of Figure 1. Preferably, however, the sleeve I6a extends below the section 83 of the pump casing 8|, but there is a clearance 94 between the lower end of the sleeve I6a and an opening 95 in the lower portion of the sleevelike section 83 through which the lower end of sleeve I6a extends. In Figure 2, the shaft 5 is driven by a motor 96.

'I'he operation of the packing gland construction shown in Figure 2 is substantially the same as the form shown in Figure 1. When the plmp 80 is started, a body of air is disposed in the air trap 82, but when liquid is drawn up into the pump, the level of liquid rises in the chamber 82 and traps a body of air in the chamber I1a between the inner cylinder I6a and the outer cylinder 83 ofthe pump casing.,l This air thus trapped is maintained within the space 28 and effectively prevents liquid within the pump from rising along the shaft 5 into contact with the gland rings and associated'parts of theimpeller shaft.

As mentioned above in connection with Figure 1, the lubricated seal between the ring 60 andthe collar` 6 on the shaft 5 prevents any rapid movement of air either into or out of the space 20. Thus, the seal can be used either on the pressure side or on the"""suction side of the pump. However, as illustrated, the seal of Figure 2 being disposed about the shaft 5 where it passes out of the intake chamber or air trap 82, is subjected tosuction. Therefore, any air which might pass between the ring 68 and the collar 6 serve sthe useful purpose of replenishing the air within the space 28 so` that adequate air to protect the gland at all times is assured. The. sleeve I8a scribed above, but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. In a pump comprising a casing and an imp'eller shaft extending vertically through the casing, a packing gland for the upper end of the shaft where itpasses through said casing, a sleeve disposed about said shaft and secured at its upper end to said casing about said packing gland, the upper end of said sleeve forming an air chamber on th'e inner side of said gland, thelower portion of said sleeve including a pair of spaced concentric cylinders open at their lower ends and communicating at their upper ends with said air chamber, said cylinders serving to trap a body of air in said air chamber,

' when the liquid level in said pump rises above shaft extending vertically through said opening and tubular section, a sleeve disposed about said shaft and secured atits upperend against said shoulderl in leak-tight relation, and a packing gland for the upper end of the shaft where it passes through said sleeve, the latter closely embracing said shaft below said packing gland and said tubular section being spaced outwardly of said sleeve and there being an opening leading from the space between said section and sleeve to the space surrounding said gland, whereby when the liquid level in said pump rises above the lower ends of said sleeve and tubular section a body of air is trapped about said gland to prevent liquid from rising within said sleeve and section far enough to come into contact with said gland. i

3. In a pump including a casing having Aan .opening and an impeller shaft extending verti- V cally through said opening, a sleeve xed in said opening and extending downwardly about said shaft, said sleeve being open at itsV lower end, a-

exsv

4 f a shoulder formed on said shaft adjacent the upper endof said sleeve, a packing ring seating against said shoulder in substantially leak-tight relation, a yflexible tubular member disposed about said f 5 shaft'and at its lower end engaging said packing ring,l fa lubricant chamber clamped to the upper end of said sleeve and serving to seal the other end of said exible tubular member, a plurality of pins carried by the' lubricant chamber, a re- 10 tainer` lsleeve anchored loosely 'to said pins so as to be held againstl rotation but capable of limited universal movement relative to the casing, a plurality of lsprings disposed about said pins and reacting against said lubricant chamber'for pressl5 ing the/lower end of said retainer sleeve against said flexible' member and the lower end of the latter against said packing ring to force the packing ring against the shoulder on said shaft,"said lubricant chamber being in communication with 20 the interior of said retainer sleeve and lubricant vin said chamberserving to seal the packing ring against said shoulder, said xed sleeve .being 4. A packing gland for acasing or the like through which ashaft lextends generally verti- $0 cally, comprising a pair of concentric sleeves extending downwardly Vabout the shaft'and each s having allower end, the outer sleeve being connected to the casing in leak-tight'relation, means sealing the\casing to said shaft, 'and means pro- 85 vlding for communication adjacent the upper I ends of the sleeve between the space between said. sleeves and the-space surrounding said shaft adjacent said sealing means, rising liquid level in `said casing serving to trapair within said ylatter space and said'v inner sleeve serving to prevent 5 `rotation of said shaft from washing out the trappedair, v Y Y 5. Injcombination with a wall having an aper- 0ture,-a shaft extending through the aperture,

.said shaft having an annular sealing shoulder, a 10A with the wear `ring, means for sealing the Aouter 15 end of the diaphragm to the walls of said aperture, a sleeve surrounding the shaft and lying inside the corrugated diaphragm, one end of the sure upon opposite sides of the diaphragm'. 30

1; The combination of claim 5 in which the sleeve is provided with a shoulder which holds the diaphragm in sealing engagement with the seal-l ving ring. l ,s 

